Houston is 8-0 this season when Foster runs for more than 100 yards. For the Texans (13-4) to have any chance to upset the New England Patriots next Sunday, they need to feed Foster until his tongue hangs out.

Foster is a tremendous back, running behind a superb offensive line. Opening the playoffs with a 19-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Foster rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries. It was an impressive performance. The Bengals (10-7) are no cream puffs on defense, and defensive tackle Geno Atkins is one of the best in the business. But the Texans’ offensive line still opened holes for Foster, and he ran with power and passion.

“He’s a man,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “I’ve been around some good ones. The whole stadium knew we had to line up and run the ball. Seems like the bigger it gets, the better Arian gets.”

The Texans should have learned something in December, when they visited New England and got embarrassed, 42-14. Foster wasn’t a factor in that game. The Patriots led 21-0 at halftime and 28-0 in the third quarter. At that point, the Texans had no choice but to junk the running game. Foster finished with just 46 yards on 15 carries.

Building such a big lead made it much easier for the Patriots to deal with Foster. But that does not mean they will stop him next weekend. On his first two carries against the Patriots in December, Foster found daylight—a 12-yard run that was wiped out by a holding penalty, followed by a 15-yard run that stood up.

That’s what the Texans need to see more of against the Patriots—Foster ripping through the line of scrimmage. The Texans can pull off the upset if they can dominate time of possession like they did against the Bengals on Saturday (38:49 to 21:11).

New England’s defense will key on Foster, so his job will not be easy. Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens is the only back to rush for more than 100 yards against the Patriots this season. Rice gained 101 yards, and the Ravens won 31-30. But Patriots coach Bill Belichick is a master at taking away the opposition’s best weapon. Belichick will look to control Foster and force quarterback Matt Schaub and other Texans to carry the offense.

However, Foster doesn’t need a 100-yard day for the Texans to win. He just needs to keep pounding the Patriots, keep taking time off the clock and turn the game into a slugfest instead of a shootout. Shorten the game. Keep Brady on the sideline. Force the Patriots’ linebackers and safeties to creep closer to the line of scrimmage.

If that happens, Schaub’s play-action passing will become more effective. Maybe Andre Johnson can sneak past the Patriots’ secondary and connect with Schaub for a few big plays when the Patriots are expecting run.

What Foster did against the Bengals has become the norm for him in playoff games. In three postseason appearances, Foster has topped 100 yards all three times. He gets more effective as the game progresses, like most great backs. Foster looked fresh against the Bengals, making sharp cuts and hitting holes decisively. You’re talking about a running back who has won a rushing title and who has rushed for more than 1,200 yards in each of the past three seasons. Foster was built for the big stage. Let him be the star.

Against the Patriots, we will find out what the Texans are all about. Winning at Gillette Stadium is difficult, but not impossible. The San Francisco 49ers did it in December. They were more physical than the Patriots. San Francisco controlled the line of scrimmage and outmuscled the Patriots in their back yard. J.J. Watt is a tremendous defensive player, but the less the Texans’ defense is on the field against Brady, the better.

The Texans were 11-1 when they walked into Gillette Stadium in December, and they believed they were the best team in the AFC. But the Patriots beat down the Texans, and that started a 1-3 skid to end the regular season.

Houston has not looked the same since that loss to New England. But the Texans have a chance to get their swagger back, and the person to lead them is Foster.

Two seasons ago, the New York Jets won a playoff game in New England after being blown out by the Patriots during the regular season. The Texans have the talent to do the same, and they have the formula. Give it to Foster. He gives the Texans a chance heading into Foxborough.